News downright depressing lately, but not so for little girls at party

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, March 8, 2009

Several little girls - probably around age 7 - were escorted by a mom and dad into a spa, where the children picked out their own nail polish colors. It was a darling site to behold.

As the well-mannered girls settled into pedicure chairs, watching them made me happy and I couldn't help but smile and observe.

Turns out they were on a birthday party, and seeing them brightened the day as I enjoyed my own birthday pampering.

Seemingly without a care in the world, the little girls finally left, sporting fresh pedicures as they headed off to whatever was the next phase of their party.

Then it occurred to me that, at their tender ages, harsh realities unfolding in the daily news don't affect them. As well they shouldn't.

Indeed, headlines are grim everywhere and just watching the news these days can be burdensome, if not downright depressing.

But for those currently lucky enough to be protected by the shield of childhood, issues worrying most of us don't matter.

Witnessing those joyful little ones having a girly party under the watchful eye of caring parents brought back some childhood memories and birthdays of yesteryear.

Childhood is a precious time, especially for those of us fortunate enough to have great parents.

From second-grade birthday parties with backyard space walks and Valentine's Day lollipops - to elementary-aged Easter egg hunts, junior golf lessons and summer swim meets - growing up has its charm for any generation.

This is perhaps especially true during the innocent pre-teen years, before children suddenly become at odds with their old-fashioned parents.

Mine certainly were old fogeys who believed it completely out of the question for a sixth-grade girl to be at a skating rink past 9:30 p.m. on a Friday night without parental supervision.

Go figure. Thinking back, I'm grateful they weren't what was considered "cool" parents who let their children skate until the midnight closing hour. Some of those kids got into trouble.

In my family of two girls - yours truly being the first born - our daddy liked to take us shopping for clothes just about every Saturday. It was a tradition that carried over into our mid-teen years, until driver's licenses were obtained and we learned the joys of borrowing a credit card.

As the time came for ear-piercing, a practice still slightly controversial for pre-teens at the time, approval of both parents had to be won.

When "ask your father," resulted in an "ask your mother," but not an outright, "no," chances were reasonably good a request would eventually be affirmed.

Those were the days.

Now, as signs of the times unfold in the news and futures are uncertain for grown-ups, it's refreshing to reflect upon- if only for a moment - the days of youth.

Even better if this occurs as you happen to be taking a respite at the spa.